New Yorkers: Close Loophole For Texting At Red Lights

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Texting while driving is against the law in New York state, but texting while sitting at a red light or stopped in traffic is not. Some people are calling that a loophole that needs to be closed, CBS 2’s Amy Dardashtian reported.

The state’s vehicle and traffic law says “no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using any portable electronic device while such vehicle is in motion.”

Texting while driving “absolutely should never be allowed, stopping or moving,” said Marie Viola, of Manhattan.

“I am sometimes guilty (of texting) as well stopped at a red light … ,” added Ellen Altman, of Roslyn, Long Island. “But I think it should be a law that there should be no texting while the car is on.”

The law is different for commercial drivers. They are not allowed to use electronic devices even while stopped.